DailyFinance

Don't feel bad that you aren't one of those lucky, well-connected investors who gets to buy into Facebook's IPO this week. Those buyers may look lucky when the likely initial price pop happens. But odds are, the pop will be followed by a drop.

The Card Act was passed in 2009 to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive credit card practices. But some stay-at-home parents complain that one part of the law has made it harder for them to get credit cards.

Obama released the annual report in the middle of a presidential campaign that has brought attention to the wealth of his Republican opponent, Mitt Romney. The former Massachusetts governor is worth $190 million to $250 million, with much of his money coming from investments.

Faced with great expectations, Facebook is staring down some potentially unnerving obstacles when it comes to key areas of monetization and growth: public distrust and display advertising apathy.

U.S. factory output increased in April, helped by a gain in auto production. Busier factories have driven stronger hiring this year and helped the economy grow. The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that factory production rose 0.6% in April, erasing a 0.5% decline in March.

Most people know of the Exxon Valdez disaster. Far fewer are aware of the 1992 kidnapping and killing of Sidney Reso, a top Exxon exec. But those two events ignited a mania for safety and security at ExxonMobil that has shaped the company ever since.

The coming electricity revolution will see conventional meters phased out in favor of "smart" meters to help create the smart grid. It should be a win-win for customers and the utilities -- but the utilities are getting greedy.